Airport passengers asked to air views for CAA survey

UK airport users will be given the opportunity to share their views on various aspects of the air travel experience in a survey by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

In response to a request from the secretary of state for advice on how to improve the air passenger experience in the UK, the CAA will seek travellers' views at the major London hubs of Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport, as well as Stansted Airport and Manchester Airport.

Views will be sought from various groups, from business class to economy passengers and from short- to long-haul travellers.

Respondents will be able to air their grievances and commendations regarding every part of the travel process, from buying tickets to travelling through the airport to the inflight experience.

Richard Jackson, group director of consumer protection at the CAA, said: "The results of a survey of hundreds of passengers travelling through the UK's largest airports will help ensure that the CAA can identify those stages of the journey that are working well and those where passengers stand to benefit most from improvement.

"I encourage all those who are approached at airports to tell us about their travel experience."

The overall airport experience in the UK nearly suffered a downturn this month with a number of strikes planned at Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport and Manchester Airport, but these were all averted following union discussions.

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